Thursday, May 7, 2009

Weekend What's What 5/7-5/12

WORD TO YOUR MOTHER

Don't get us wrong, there are plenty of non-wholesome activities going on this weekend for your partying enjoyment. We do, however, plan to be good children this Sunday by paying homage to our Madres -- it's the least we can do, considering our out-of-control-teen phase that spanned from the late '80s to the mid '90s. Have fun this fine Spring weekend, but don't forget to do something special for your mammy!

xo-l'étoile

THURSDAY MAY 7TH

Hot Roxx

@ Club Jager923 Washington AveMinneapolis

10pm / 21+ / Free

Join DJs Nick Ryan and Jen Hughes as they rummage through their record collections to bring you the best and the worst of the 70's and beyond. Stop in for a cold bev, groovin' tunes and some fantastic company. l’étoile hearts Hughes!

CLICK THE IMAGE FOR THE HOT ROXX MYSPACE

THURSDAY MAY 7TH

All the Pretty Horses 15th Anniversary

@ The Entry 701 1st Ave. N.Minneapolis

8pm / 18+/ $7

It's hard to believe local iconoclast rockers, All the Pretty Horses, having been rocking the scene with their sexy glam-punk for fifteen years. And like any seasoned rock band, their history includes ups and downs, a series of band member changes and some serious boundary pushing. To celebrate the 15th anniversary of this legendary group, founder and front woman Venus DeMars and the current ATPH line-up will be revisiting each of their four records in chronological order Thursdays through the end of May -- complete with special guest appearances from past band mates. Tonight kicks off with a track-by-track performace of their self-titled debut album, “A.T.P.H.” with opening sets from locals Milkbar and DJ Mach Fox.

CLICK THE IMAGE FOR THE ATPH SITE

THURSDAY MAY 7TH

Muja Messiah

@ Big V’s1567 University Ave WSt. Paul

9pm / 21+ / $5

The Twin Cities’ standards for hip hop are high, and Muja Messiah has surpassed the bar. Get cozy at Big V’s and take in the sounds of this rising star and spitfire rapper who was, unsurprisingly, crowned "Best Local Hip Hop" act in the City Pages recent "Best of" issue. With Loose Crew, Nerve & DJ Arkitek and Radical Chic.

CLICK THE IMAGE FOR THE MUJA MESSIAH MYSPACEPhoto by Julian Murray

ART-A-WHIRL SPOTLIGHT: SHARRA FRANK

With over 500 NEMAA artists and various media styles that comprise the annual Art-A-Whirl tour (kicking off next weekend, May 15th-17th), it's easy to miss fantastic local art pieces. To make it easy on you, we're spotlighting must-see Art-A-Whirl artists we deem buzz-worthy, starting with whimsical mosaic artist, Sharra Frank. Frank's mastery of mosaic's started as a college art project and grew to an fine art obsession. Cited as “a superstar in the making” by Handmade Tile Association president, Josh Blanc, Sharra has created international and public installations. Her creations of large scale, elaborate mosaics are inspired by vintage French interiors, botanicals, Moorish architectures and children's literature. As impressive in its laborious construction as it is ornate and dramatic, her pieces revamp overlooked items (broken jewelry, sea shells) and pair them with flamboyant materials (china, rhinestones and beads) to create beautiful baroque artistry. We especially love Frank's glittering, princess-like mirrors, which we can totally imagine sitting in front of each night while brushing our hair exactly 100 times.

For more information on Art-A-Whirl (May 15th-17th) Visit www.nemaa.org, and look for our Art-A-Whirl Spectacular edition of l'étoile out NEXT WEEK!

CLICK THE IMAGE FOR THE SHARRA FRANK SITE

FRIDAY MAY 8TH

The Deaths

@ Stasius2500 University Ave NEMinneapolis

9pm / 21+ / $5

With a name like The Deaths, one might conjure up images of hair metal and doom rock. But there’s nothing eerie about the sepia-toned melodies these guys throw around. Much like openers The Nightinghales, The Deaths have drawn comparisons to 60’s pop groups The Zombies and The Kinks. Also on hand is First Communion After Party, trying their best to summon a revival-tent spirit.

CLICK THE IMAGE FOR THE DEATHS MYSPACEPoster By Tooth

FRIDAY MAY 8TH

Underground Decade: A Mix-Tape Release Party

@ Wrinkle Warehouse2510 Washington Ave NMinneapolis

9pm-5am / 18+ / $10 Advance, $15 at the Door

Hip Hop DJ and producer DJ Kool Hanz aka Kulcha Human has been gaining momentum since hitting the scene earlier this year with the street-tested, hipster-approved mix-tape Stepa's Mixdown. Tonight, he invites you to the ultra cool Wrinkle warehouse space to celebrate the release of his second mix-tape, Underground Decade. Bringing in artists from the fringes of the hip-hop scene, DJ Kool Hanz will bump his hot new mix accompanied by performers Truthmaze, Yoni, Omaur Bliss, Big Shiz, Mua' Dib, and DJ Druski as well as live art by Stun & Joer. Best of all, it’s BYOB, so you provide the treats, they’ll provide the beats.

CLICK THE IMAGE FOR THE VITAL VINYL SITE

FRIDAY MAY 8TH

Bacchanalia

@ Ground Zero15 NE 4th St. Minneapolis

10pm / 18+/ 18-20 $10, 21+ $8

Bacchanalia (pronounced bak-uh-ney-lee-uh) were festivals held in secret by women in honor of Bacchus, the god of Greek mythology known to induce frenzy and ecstasy. In the spirit of this hedonism, The Libertine Asylum - an organization devoted to overlooked fashion subcultures – presents a night of fashion, dancing and debauchery, in true tribute style. Local designers Blashphemina's Closet, Apatico and Scoundrelle's Keep will be showcasing their Neo-Victorian and Lolita themed Spring/Summer lines – think a dark wave Alice in Wonderland. With performances from the Kajal Belly Dancers and Bjorn Ludkondukt, model make-up from artist Lucinda Connaker and photography by Photosynthetique Imaging. Fancy attire is encouraged, and if in doubt, black lace, black lace, black lace.

CLICK THE IMAGE FOR THE LIBERTINE ASYLUM SITE

FRIDAY MAY 8TH

Street Sounds

@ 1st Ave VIP Room701 1st Ave N Minneapolis

10pm / $5 / 18+

l’étoile has seen you before, dancing up a storm. That’s why we are especially inviting you, a Very Important Person, to join us at the 1st Ave VIP Room for an epic a dance-off to the sounds of DJs Attitude City, Mike the 2600 King and Winship. We know you will make this night a sizzling success with your coolness, your dash of attitude and whopping serving of style. It’s Friday and we’ve got alllll night.

Sponsored by l'étoile magazine!

CLICK THE IMAGE FOR THE FIRST AVE SITE

COOL LINK: TEXTS FROM LAST NIGHT

Remember that text you shouldn't have sent last night? Textsfromlastnight.com does. This hilarious collection of comedic, embarrassing, debaucherous and illogical drunken text messages posted online for the whole world to enjoy reminds you that no matter how lousy you feel the next morning, there is somebody out there who is 50 times more hungover than you. Here are some of our faves:

"I chugged a bottle of robotussein and i ducking saw a blind lady on a purch sewing a shirt! And a tree portal"

"I think I just saw the travelocity gnome in leather chaps."

"am i at home because theres a dig starrrrring at me and i dont know wit plus i haer sirens. run fast."

“im drinking this country out of the recession.”

“Something clean will definitely be barfed on tomorrow.”

"I just ate a cockroach and I want to be a fire truck."

CLICK THE IMAGE FOR THE TEXTS FROM LAST NIGHT SITE

SATURDAY MAY 9TH

Walker Shop Local Jewelry Artist Mart

@ Walker Art Center1750 Hennepin AveMinneapolis

11am-5pm / Free

Quick! Tomorrow’s Mother’s Day, and if you haven’t gotten anything for Mom, Grandma, or any lady you know who has experienced childbirth, get them a little something to say...thanks for being a mama! Seventeen local jewelry artists offer their designs, while you chomp on chocolate (chocolatier present!) and support the Walker’s artistic and educational programs through your shopping frenzy.

CLICK THE IMAGE FOR THE WAC SITE

SATURDAY MAY 9TH

Black Dog Block Party

@ Black Dog Coffee and Wine Bar308 Prince St. St. Paul

Noon-7pm / Free

Who doesn't love a block party? The energy, the entertainment and of course -- the encouraged street drinking. Today, Lowertown Saint Paul transforms into a neighborhood celebration for the third annual Black Dog Block Party. Featuring an artist market, beer and wine, food, carnival activities, sets from Romanian country artists, tunes from the Brass Messengers, the funky French brass band Tarace Boulba, local hip-hop artist (and recent Voltage performer) Maria Isa and other musical interludes. Tail shaking is definitely required.

The bleak words “final notice” never represent a pleasant experience. Whether looming on the door of an abandoned house or ominously waiting in our mailboxes, that infamous red stamp can be quite scary. With this concept of vacancy and foreclosure in mind, Portland-based (former MPLS) artists Keegan Wekman and Aaron Bickner have returned to create a gallery installation reflecting rebirth and change - a very Spring appropriate theme. Join the artists, Umber Studios and Overproof for an opening reception featuring 40+ art pieces and an interactive “dollhouse” installation. Outside, the show's “final notice” sign on the gallery's door might appear to make the studio seem on the verge of abandonment, but inside the line drawings and illustrative artwork of Bickner and Wenkman will be alive with creativity and hope.

For the opening exhibit, Theoretical Realities, artists Kate Van Cleve and Dan Young were met with the challenge of creating a metaphysical world that still holds ties in realities. Much like a well-written sci-fi novel, the artists pieces cohesively blend imagination with non-wavering human qualities and experiences. While Young's painting follow a fantasy route (galaxy traveling felines and robotic characters), Van Cleve's pieces are grounded in real-to-life memories and landscapes (beach settings and sunsets). But both artists manage to intensely capture the viewer with imagination, color and visual storytelling and spin “reality” in a unique way. Theoretical Realities runs through May.

BONUS: Be sure to stop into the lower level "Pocket Gallery" to lay eyes on new work by awesome abstractionist Shawn McNulty!

Four artists from Minneapolis, New York and Los Angeles have been texting, emailing and video chatting about alchemy, bricolage, and communication. By making art spontaneously and intuitively, this show questions how the artists control their experiences and their creative processes “with a sixth, pseudo-magical sense.” Whoa. These artists have been at it all week creating a collaborative, multi-disciplinary installation for all you artmakers and lovers out there. Through May 30th.

CLICK FOR THIS ART EVENT AND MORE AT MPLSART.COM

SATURDAY MAY 9TH

Jeremy Messersmith & Kaisercartel

@ The Cedar Cultural Center416 Cedar Ave S Minneapolis

8pm / All Ages / $10

The dreamy, minimalist pop of highly understated local indie darling Jeremy Messersmith will be showcased tonight at the Cedar, a venue known for its intimacy and excellent sound. He will be joined by boy-girl Brooklyn duo KaiserCartel, critically praised for their intelligent, playful and rather enchanting tunes.

CLICK THE IMAGE FOR THE CEDAR SITE

SATURDAY MAY 9TH

Dark Dark Dark

@ 7th Street Entry701 1st Ave NMinneapolis

5pm / All Ages / $5

The moody, nomadic collective known as Dark Dark Dark will bring their mesmerizing brand of Eastern European folk meets carnival music to the 7th Street Entry for a homecoming show not to be missed. Dark x 3 incorporates a unique instrumental arsenal that is not typical of most indie-rock favorites, focusing heavily on cello, banjo, accordion, and piano. One of our favorite albums of last year, most def!

CLICK THE IMAGE FOR THE DDD MYSPACE

SUNDAY MUSIC PICK: GIRLSCHOOL

An all-lady metal band from London is our idea of wild times. Girlschool spiced up the late ‘70s with their bitchin vocals, shredding guitars and good looks. They toured with Motörhead, showed Lemmy a thing or two about metal, and even recorded an album with them. And...they’re still going strong! Claiming to be the longest running female rock band in the world, Girlschool has rocked for 30 straight years!

Girlschool rocking out with Motorhead!

SUNDAY MAY 10TH

Mother's Day!

@ Your Mom's HouseWherever your Mom's House is

All Day / Cost Varies

Ease up on your rock n' roll lifestyle for a minute! Comb your hair, brush your teeth and show up at Mom's place bright eyed and bushy-tailed for a bit of Mother's Day mayhem. Whether you have the cash to buy Mom something snazzy, or are on a strict "rail drink only" budget, Secrets of the City's 2009 Mother's Day Guide can help you come up smelling like roses -- and not fermented rail drinks -- this Sunday! What's better, is that the guide was written by l'étoile's own Kate Iverson and Juleana Enright!

CLICK THE IMAGE FOR THE SOTC MOM'S DAY GUIDE

TUESDAY MAY 12TH

JagerCon: Sci-Fi Tuesdays

@ Clubhouse Jager923 Washington Avenue N.Minneapolis

Every Tuesday10 p.m. / 21+ / Free

Join hosts Kate Iverson (l'étoile magazine, Secrets of the City) and Beth Hammarlund (l'étoile magazine, A Tiny Machine) every Tuesday Night for JagerCon! JagerCon is a weekly sci-fi party featuring screenings of classic nerdy movies and television shows such as Buffy, Firefly, V, Star Trek, Blade Runner, Forbidden Planet and more -- topped off with 2-4-1 cocktails all night served by Star Captain Paul!

Mingle with like-minded sci-fi geeks, discuss D&D strategies, and use that Captain Picard impression you've been perfecting to pick up chicks at the bar. Snort-laugh the night away while bragging about your MMORPG addiction and enjoy a cozy, nerd-friendly environment.

Kate and Beth are life-long sci-fi fans who also dabble in art and fashion. They appreciate Joss Whedon, Karl Lagerfeld, and Matthew Barney on the same level. They can also party like Sci-Fi Conventioneers. Kate and Beth strive to unite the segmented nerd culture of the Twin Cities the only way they know how: with alcohol and awesome Sci-Fi entertainment.

Meet Minneapolis guru Scott Mayer sent us this a note about the One Man Minneapolis deadline, coming up on May 15th. Nominate the hot/successful/amazing dude in your life; he could win lots of money, which he may just turn around and spend on you.

Do you know the guy we’re looking for? One lucky Twin Cities guy will win $5,000 + a Tag Heuer watch + $1,000 to the charity of his choice if he’s selected as One Man Minneapolis based on personality, fitness, community involvement, and intelligence. To apply or nominate someone, go to www.onemanminneapolis.com. Application deadline is May 15.

GUEST BLOGGER: A TINY MACHINE

Beth Hammarlund's obsession with cat masks comes to a head in this week's post.

cat power (or cat mask fever, i can't decide)

“There is nothing I like more than a girl in a mask and a party dress.”–Erin Fetherston

Masks have been popping up all over the fashion scene. At Jean-Paul Gaultier, Luella Bartley, and Erin Fetherston shows. In Louis Vuitton’s Richard Prince-inspired Spring 2008 RTW presentation. At Salma Hayek and François-Henri Pinault’s Venetian wedding (which, make no mistake, was a total fashion event). I’ve wanted a cat mask since first reading Ghost World, but never found just the right one and eventually gave up on the idea. However, a gorgeous leather cat mask at The Guthrie Theater Gift Shop recently re-ignited my dormant desire, and now I find myself googling cat masks on a regular basis.

Target Corp. plans to open one of its temporary, or “pop-up,” stores in downtown Chicago this weekend, the first time Target has used one of its pop-up stores in the Midwest. The "Bullseye Bazaar" fashion offerings include the new Go! International line by Tracy Feith, Rogan's eco-friendly Loomstate line, Miss Trish of Capri footwear, Felix Ray handbags, Erickson Beamon jewelry, the Merona Collection, and Mossimo Gianulli's line. It will also carry a small selection of designer home and beauty items. [Source: PR Newswire]

CLICK THE IMAGE FOR THE REST OF THE POSTImage of Tracy Feith for Target courtesy Target

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